Another $450 million in grants meant for Harvard University has been withdrawn by the Trump administration, coming just two weeks after the institution made public a critical internal report that focused on antisemitism within its campus.
This decision has added more weight to the ongoing pressure already being placed on the Ivy League institution. For several months, Harvard has been under heavy scrutiny from the White House, including various investigations and warnings.
The university’s tax-exempt status and whether it has been following rules concerning international student admissions have been under review.
Federal Action Against Harvard Intensifies
A pause was first placed on roughly $2.2 billion in federal funds for Harvard in April, following an order from a task force that involves multiple agencies.
Despite this large amount being affected, the administration has yet to give full details on how the freeze has been carried out or which research programs have been touched by it.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon added more pressure on May 5 by informing Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, that the university was no longer qualified to apply for or receive any fresh government-backed research funding.
Garber, who is Jewish, received this update as the latest part of a wider effort to hold the school accountable under federal oversight.
